Silver Road: The Shifting Tides, Book 2

Chloe's quest to escape the Oracle's prophecy leads her to a magus with a secret: the eldren are not the only race to use magic in warfare. An ancient power is rediscovered, and a forgotten people will return. Meanwhile, cursed by his birth, Dion tries to forge a new life at sea, away from both the eldren and his former life in Xanthos, but the one thing he can't leave behind is his heritage.

Enchantress: Evermen Saga, Book 1

Ella and her brother, Miro, are orphans, their parents killed long ago in the ongoing struggle against the mad Emperor. From the day Ella witnesses an enchanter using his talents to save Miro from drowning, she knows what she wants to be. But the elite Academy of Enchanters expects tuition fees and knowledge. Determined, Ella sells flowers and studies every book she can. Meanwhile, Miro dreams of becoming one of the world's finest swordsmen, wielding his nation's powerful enchanted weapons in defense of his homeland.

The Queen's Poisoner: The Kingfountain Series, Book 1

King Severn Argentine's fearsome reputation precedes him: usurper of the throne, killer of rightful heirs, ruthless punisher of traitors. Attempting to depose him, the Duke of Kiskaddon gambles...and loses. Now the duke must atone by handing over his young son, Owen, as the king's hostage. And should his loyalty falter again, the boy will pay with his life.

Enemy: On the Bones of Gods, Book 1

The Illhari Republic rests on the bones of gods, telling tales of conquest and forgetting its once-bloody devotion to its most powerful goddess. Snowdenaelikk, half-blood conjuror and smuggler, cares less about history than the silver she can win with sharp metal and sharper wits. But when the local legion blames her for burning a village, an outlander with a sense of honor intervenes, and Snow finds herself tangled in politics and an unwelcome partnership.

A Chance Beginning: Shadow's Fire Trilogy, Book 1

Erik Eleodum is a simple man. He doesn't want to be a hero. He doesn't need fame or fortune. He is content farming his family's homestead in northern Háthgolthane and raising a simple family, like his father, for the rest of his life. In fact, adventure is the last thing on his mind.

The King's Traitor: The Kingfountain Series, Book 3

Against all odds, Owen Kiskaddon grew from frightened boy to confident youth to trusted officer in the court of Kingfountain - and watched its regent, Severn Argentine, grow ever more ruthless and power-mad. Robbed of his beloved protector, his noble mentor, and his true love, Owen has anticipated the day when the king he fears and reviles, yet loyally serves, will be toppled. Now, as Severn plots a campaign of conquest, the time has come to take action...and Owen's destiny demands that he lead the strike.

Ink Mage: A Fire Beneath the Skin, Book 1

In the first installment of the A Fire Beneath the Skin trilogy, the city of Klaar has never fallen. No enemy has ever made it across the Long Bridge or penetrated the city's mighty walls. Even when a powerful invading army shows up at the gates, the duke and his daughter, Rina Veraiin, are certain that it poses little threat. But they are cruelly betrayed from within and, in a horrific spasm of violence, the city is brought to its knees.

Into the Rain: Phantasia, Book 1

After finding the body of a dragon in a metallic desert, Red finds out that he is the reincarnation of a messiah worshipped by an insectoid alien race bent on invading his star system. Swept into a dangerous adventure across glacial swamps, cloud cities, and dead stars - Red must evade his true purpose in the world, to summon a forsaken deity trapped in another realm.

Venom & Vanilla: The Venom Trilogy, Book 1

Successful Seattle baker Alena Budrene doesn't want to die. But when she's infected with a lethal virus spread by supernatural beings, her only chance for recovery is to make a deal with the devil - or in this case, a warlock. Though he saves her life, it looks nothing like the life she once knew - and neither does she. Alena is a new breed of "Supe" no one has ever seen before. Even the supernatural police don't know what she is. Now exiled to the northern side of the Wall, is thrust into a dark and magical new world.

Ocean of Storms

In the near future, political tensions between the United States and China are at an all-time high. Then a catastrophic explosion on the moon cleaves a vast gash in the lunar surface, and the massive electromagnetic pulse it unleashes obliterates Earth's electrical infrastructure. To plumb the depths of the newly created lunar fissure and excavate the source of the power surge, the feuding nations are forced to cooperate on a high-risk mission to return mankind to the moon.

A Facet for the Gem: The Tale of Eaglefriend, Book 1

In a land of eagle-riding knights, bloodthirsty beasts, and a ruthless prince, no border is safe for long. And as smoke billows from the only blockade standing between the great city of Korindelf and certain doom, young Morlen races to escape the inevitable siege. Thrust from the chaos with thousands of snapping jaws on his trail, he discovers that the abilities he's buried all his life are awakening - and it could not have happened at a worse time.

Centyr Dominance: Champions of the Dawning Dragons, Book 2

Moira Illeniel was the name she lived by, but her true heritage was more complicated than that. From birth she was the secretly adopted daughter of the most powerful wizard in the world, but few knew that her true birthright came from the Centyr lineage. Traveling to Dunbar to discover the fate of her vanished father, Moira must face the darker aspects of her power. Forced to fight a foe unlike anything seen before in Lothion, she will learn the reason for the warnings her mother's shade gave her.

Black Rain

In a darkly warped near future, lucrative disease cures are brokered on Wall Street's Genetic Stock Exchange. And the hottest consumer products are artificially synthesized humans that serve as everything from domestic slaves to combatants in savage gladiatorial games. For Jack Saxton, the young heir to genetic design powerhouse Genico Inc., these Synthates are just a fact of life...until the murder of a high-profile genetic scientist leads a pair of seasoned NYPD detectives to Genico's door.

Nightblade

A quiet child, Moriko is forced into a monastic system she despises. Torn from her family and the forest she grew up in, she must fight to learn the skills she'll need to survive her tutelage under the realm's most dangerous assassin. Young, beautiful, and broke, Takako is sold to pay for her father's debts. Thrust into a world she doesn't understand and battles she didn't ask for, she must decide where her loyalties lie. When their lives crash together in a kingdom on the brink of war, the decisions they make will change both their lives and their kingdom forever.

Wrath of the Urkuun: Epic of Ahiram, Book 2

Better for the Urkuun to kill Ahiram than for him to open the Pit and destroy the world. So thinks Sharr, High Priest of Baal. By releasing the Urkuun from the Spell World, the High Priest also unleashes the creature's implacable wrath on the unsuspecting Kingdom of Tanniin. Ahiram discovered the sword of El-Windiir - the blade of legends - at the Games of the Mines. But freedom can sometimes be the harshest of masters and will soon demand that Ahiram confront his worst fears to win a battle he does not yet know how to fight.

The Wind and the Void: Nightblade, Book 3

In the midst of the chaos, the actions and choices of a select few will shape the future of the land. Akira prepares to give up his Lordship. Ryuu wanders the Southern Kingdom, searching for a reason to fight. Moriko sits quietly, biding her time before she leaves the Three Kingdoms for good. Finally, across the Three Sisters, Nameless fight to keep his fragile alliance of clans together.

The Banished of Muirwood: Covenant of Muirwood, Book 1

In a stand-alone series set in the world of Muirwood, eighteen-year-old Maia is the exiled princess of Comoros and heir to the throne. As a result of her father's ceaseless need for authority, she was left disinherited and forced to live as a servant in her enemy's home. When the king invites chaos into the land by expelling the magical order known as the Dochte Mandar, Maia finds herself on a perilous quest to save her people. To survive, she must use magic she has learned in secret - despite the fact that women are forbidden to control it.

Akiri: The Scepter of Xarbaal

Akiri is a blistering new heroic fantasy novel from the multiple award-winning international best sellers Brian D. Anderson and Steven Savile who have come together to create the first adrenalin-filled standalone novel in Akiri's tortured world. Can one betrayal can save a kingdom? Will two destroy it?

The Wretched of Muirwood: Legends of Muirwood, Book 1

The Wretched of Muirwood, the opening novel in the Muirwood Trilogy, is the tale of the orphan Lia - who is part of a pariah caste known only as the "wretched", a people unloved, unwanted, and destined to a life of servitude. Forbidden to read or write, and forced to slave away in the Abbey kitchen, Lia is all but resigned to her fate. But when an injured squire named Colvin is abandoned at the Abbey kitchen, opportunity arises, and Lia conspires to hide Colvin and change her life forever.…

Forging Divinity: The War of Broken Mirrors, Book 1

Some say that in the city of Orlyn, godhood is on sale to the highest bidder. Thousands flock to the city each year, hoping for a chance at immortality. Lydia Hastings is a knowledge sorcerer, capable of extracting information from anything she touches. When she travels to Orlyn to validate the claims of the local faith, she discovers a conspiracy that could lead to a war between the world's three greatest powers. At the focal point is a prisoner who bears a striking resemblance to the long-missing leader of the pantheon she worships.

Infinity Lost: The Infinity Trilogy, Book 1

Infinity "Finn" Blackstone is the 17-year-old daughter of Blackstone's reclusive CEO - but she's never even met him. When disturbing dreams about a past she doesn't remember begin to torment her, Finn knows there's only one person who can provide answers: her father.

The Temporary Agent: The Agent Series, Book 1

Five years after his life was saved in Afghanistan by Marine Force Recon Leader Charlie Cahill, former Navy Seabee Tom Sexton lives a bleak, nomadic existence, haunted by the debt he can never repay. Salvation appears in Stella - a woman as damaged, and resourceful, as he. But when a coded distress call from his former CO leads him to a shadowy NSA operative, Tom is recruited for a "black op" to bring back the now-rogue man who saved his life.

Fireblood: Whispers from Mirrowen, Book 1

In a world beset by plagues, Tyrus of Kenatos has made it his life’s work to end the devastation. Yet when he first ventures into the Scourgelands to uncover the secret of the plagues’ origin, he barely makes it out alive after being ambushed by a mysterious, unseen enemy. Tyrus knows the plagues will rise again - more powerful than ever before - and he is determined to complete his mission. To aid in his new quest, he summons his nephew Annon and his niece Hettie - both of whom possess an innate magic called the fireblood - and a pack of unlikely allies.

The Unbroken Line of the Moon: Valhalla, Book 1

In this grand saga of love, war, and magic set in the tenth century, young Sigrid is destined to be the mother of the king of the Nordic lands that would become Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and England. A devout believer in the old Nordic gods, Sigrid is visited regularly in her dreams by the goddess Freya, who whispers to her of the future. Though Sigrid is beautiful, rich, arrogant, and matchlessly clever, her uncanny ability to foresee the future and manipulate the present guides her through dangerous politics.

Publisher's Summary

The discovery of a strange and superior warship sends Dion, youngest son of the king of Xanthos, and Chloe, a Phalesian princess, on a journey across the sea, where they are confronted by a kingdom far more powerful than they could ever have imagined.

But they also find a place in turmoil, for the ruthless sun king, Solon, is dying. In order to gain entrance to heaven, Solon is building a tomb - a pyramid clad in gold - and has scoured his own empire for gold until there's no more to be found.

Now Solon's gaze turns to Chloe's homeland, Phalesia, and its famous sacred ark, made of solid gold. The legends say it must never be opened, but Solon has no fear of foreigners' legends or even their armies. And he isn't afraid of the eldren, an ancient race of shape-shifters, long ago driven into the Wilds.

When I need a change or break from my usual genres I listen too, I usually look for an epic fantasy to get lost in, and stumbled across Golden Age. While I don’t think I would consider Golden Age to be an “epic” fantasy, it was most certainly an intriguing, well developed story that capture my attention, and took me on an journey; albeit sometimes an intense journey, with two unique characters as they headed out on their own journey one by choice, the other by capture.

Like with most fantasy stories, Golden Age starts off a bit slowly while developing the world, and characters making them appear both real and tangible. However, before long the story picks up, moves at a steady pace all the way till the end.

Simon Vance performance was outstanding, and his voice is perfect for fantasy stories. He really brought both the story and characters to life.

This was a great audiobook of an exceptional story. I'm a big lover of fantasy stories, but tend toward stories that are mostly realistic. I love authors who are careful with the fantastic elements they put in their novels.

Golden Age is an exceptional example of such a novel. Almost everything is realistic, with only one major element of fantasy. The fantasy therefore enriches the drama and story rather than detracting from it.

Strongly recommended for anyone who enjoys fantasy, especially for those who enjoy strong female characters.

The author once again crafted his characters with appealing and vile personalities for protagonists and antagonists, respectively. The story is as old as Hobbs where peaceful human kingdoms are threatened by an overwhelming enemy military might commanded by a fanatical king. There are fantastical hybrid characters who are mistrusted by humans and who have the ability to transform their civilized human form into huge dragons, sea serpents and giants who end up aligning with both warring factions for their own self-interests.

There were a few glaring problems that surface early on, the biggest being that of Chloe, who is the eldest teenage daughter of a peaceful kingdom's head of the ruling high council. In the beginning, when her father hosted the visiting fleet commander of what was to become their enemy, she acted, almost demurely, as a server to the dinner feast. Later, after being kidnapped by this commander to be used as ransom she was befriended by a slave who, in a matter of a couple of weeks taught her several ninja tricks and even sword wielding. She later, like Zena the Princess Warrior, she best many enemy soldiers through guile and boldness.

Again, while the characters were well-crafted, the story is not compelling enough to keep me following it.

Despite being an introductory book for Maxwell's new series, the story remains unencumbered by the "set-up" and has a dynamic plot that flows seamlessly through perfectly paced chapters (~11 minutes on average). I will admit some bias, as I am a sucker for anything with the slightest hint of greek mythological flavor; however, the originality and unforeseeable details that drive the somewhat predictable climax was what impressed/enthralled me the most. Vance's performance synergistically submerged the reader with its expertly individualized dialogue and sincere tones. I can't even criticize the tragic flaws of the characters because the circumstances were brilliantly crafted so that the limitations were logical. The Golden Age's dynamic plot, compelling characters, and surface penetrating proposed philosophical quandaries earned it 5 stars from me; I'm all too anxious for the sequel.

**The following crude summary may contain some "spoiled" content**

Chloe, the protagonist, is the daughter of the First Counsel of Fulija. After an unusual natural disaster that demands the help of the dangerous but powerful Eldrin (shape shifting people that can turn into: dragons, servants, giants, furies, and mer-people) her father holds an assembly attempting to sort out how to respond. Additionally, the seismic activity ushered a foreign warship, representative of a mysterious and powerful expansionist nation to their shore. The first counsel welcomes them and allows them to make repairs in his harbor; however, this act of kindness was in vain, as they kidnapped his daughter and gathered reconnaissance for their gold-hungry king. Fortunately, a misfit heir with a unique origin from Fulija's neighboring ally (Xanthos) sets out across the sea to rescue her and learn what he can about this new enemy. I have to commend Maxwell for expertly alternating between perspectives and suspense-fully sequencing eachs' reveals, as it had me glued to my car stereo from chapter to chapter instead festering in traffic.

This is a well written Fantasy novel with the potential start to an epic. There are many tropes used, but they are well executed. I will definitely start following this author again. It is hard to believe this is the same author as enchantress.